The year was 2004 and AC Milan icon Andriy Shevchenko claimed his first and only Ballon d’Or award as the then 28-year-old became Pavel Nedved’s successor after an unforgettable 2003-2004 season. Organised by France Football since 1956, the star-studded nominee list of the Ballon d’Or featured a young Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Paolo Maldini. Manchester United’s prodigal son bagged the 12th spot in his Ballon d’Or debut. Ronaldo then went on to stage an epic rivalry with Lionel Messi as the two behemoths turned the Ballon d’Or race into a near-two-way contest at their careers’ peak.

Ballon d’Or arch-rivals Messi and Ronaldo lifted the Golden Ball a combined 13 times from the 2008 edition. Securing his first nomination in 2006, Messi sealed his first Ballon d’Or title in 2009 to kickstart his four-year streak of winning the Golden Ball. The record-time winner is also the reigning Ballon d’Or champion. Messi missed the cut in 2022 but the Argentine stalwart masterminded La Albiceleste’s third FIFA World Cup triumph in the same year to stake claim on the Ballon d’Or trophy in 2023. A year later, neither Messi nor Ronaldo have earned the Golden Ball call-up for the first time since 2003.

Changing of the guards is imminent in Paris as France Football and UEFA will crown the successor of Messi at the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards. Created by France Football magazine, UEFA and Groupe Amaury will co-organise the renowned Ballon d’Or 2024 on 28 October at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. First awarded to England great Stanley Matthews in 1956, legends of the beautiful game including Eusebio, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane have all won lifted the famous trophy in the past. Who is next?

Mbappe vs Haaland: No podium finish for world-class strikers

Though Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is featured in the top 30 list, the new galactico of Los Blancos might finish behind Man City forward Haaland. Smashing records at Etihad, Haaland finished the 2023-2024 season with a Premier League title and consecutive Golden Boot. Netting 38 goals last season, the goal machine is the quickest player in the Premier League’s history to 50 goals. Placed 18th in the list of all-time goal-getters in the history of the Champions League, Haaland is the youngest to smash 40 goals in the celebrated tournament. However, a fruitful campaign in top-flight leagues doesn’t guarantee a Golden Ball this year. Haaland failed to fire for Man City against Real Madrid while French forward Mbappe guided Paris Saint Germain (PSG) to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Free-scoring Mbappe dumped Barcelona out of the Champions League but the France captain struggled to engineer PSG’s comeback against last season’s Champions League runners-up Dortmund in the semi-finals. At the UEFA Euro, Mbappe’s France side was eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals.

Why is Vinicius leading the Ballon d’Or race?

Vinicius had a false start in his Ballon d’Or bid last season. The Brazilian superstar was missing in action when Carlo Ancelotti-coached Madrid were desperate to crown Karim Benzema‘s heir at the Bernabeu. Regaining top form in the same injury-marred season, Real Madrid’s No.7 scored a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Vinicius was also the ‘Real deal’ at the Champions League. The Los Blancos winger was instrumental in the semi-final win over Bayern Munich. Fresh from powering Real Madrid to a record-extending La Liga title, on-song Vinicius scored the winner against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final. In his comeback season, Vinicius netted 26 times and chipped in with 12 assists. Adding crucial titles to his Real Madrid cabinet, Vinicius made a quiet exit from the international stage. The Real Madrid superstar earned a brace against Paraguay in the Copa America group stage. Suspended from the quarter-finals against Uruguay, Vinicius was a mere spectator as the Golden Ball candidate saw Selecao bow out of the competition on penalties.

Please, make way for Rodri

Despite being the best holding midfielder in the world, why cerebral Spaniard Rodri is still not heavily tipped to win the Golden Ball this year? A serious contender for the prestigious award last year, Rodri won the treble with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. However, Rodri was upstaged by Erling Haaland with his 52-goal contribution in 53 games. The former Borussia Dortmund forward was second only to Messi as the FIFA World Cup 2022 winner took home his record-eighth Ballon d’Or title in 2023.

Rodri has made it to the nominee list on the back of an impressive unbeaten run with Man City. Did you know? Guardiola’s men lost all of their three matches in the Premier League last season with Rodri being suspended. The Rodri-starrer Man City side last lost a Premier League game in February 2023. The Spanish international didn’t concede a single defeat at the UEFA Champions League last season. Man City were outclassed by eventual champions Real Madrid on penalties in the quarter-finals after two thrilling draws. Labelled as the ‘perfect computer’ by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, Rodri ended a trophy-laden season with La Roja defeating England in the UEFA Euro 2024 final. “Please, give him the Ballon d’Or now!” – what Guardiola said about Rodri, who was also named the Player of the Tournament at the Euros.

Golden Ball for ‘golden boy’ Bellingham

Just like Mbappe, playmaker Jude Bellingham was on target for Real Madrid on his debut. Assisting Real Madrid’s goal-getters Rodrygo and Vinicius throughout the season, Bellingham donned the famous No.5 jersey and boy did he do justice to Zidane’s old shirt which came with a whopping £100 million ($131m) price tag at the Santiago Bernabeu. Coining Madrid’s sucker punch against Dortmund in the Champions League final, the Englishman also propelled Los Blancos to Clasico wins over FC Barcelona in the La Liga last season. A central midfielder with his shooting boots on across competitions, Bellingham contributed 27 goals for Madrid and England. With Vinicius missing a major chunk of the 2023-2024 season through injury, Bellingham spearheaded the title bid for Los Blancos. Clutch for club and country, Bellingham produced 17 assists and headlined the UEFA Euro final. Sure a silver medal at Euros after a near-perfect season can’t cost Jude a Golden Ball?

File image of Lionel Messi (left) and Franco Colapinto (right)© X (Twitter)

Argentina captain Lionel Messi will miss his team’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia next month due to injury. The 37-year-old was a glaring omission from the Albiceleste’s 28-man squad named on Monday as he continues to recover from an ankle ligament injury sustained during Argentina’s victory over Colombia in the Copa America final in July, reported Xinhua. Veteran River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani was also left out, as was Roma forward Paulo Dybala.

Midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez and striker Valentin Castellanos were called up for the first time while young talents Alejandro Garnacho, Valentin Carboni, Valentin Barco and Matias Soule were also included.

Argentina will meet Chile in Buenos Aires on September 5 and Colombia in Barranquilla five days later.

The Albiceleste are currently top of the 10-team South American qualifying group with 15 points from six games so far.

Argentina squad: Goalkeepers: Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille), Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), German Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais), Valentin Barco (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez (West Ham United), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur), Ezequiel Fernandez (Al Qadsiah), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Leandro Paredes (AS Roma).

Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Matias Soule (AS Roma), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Valentin Carboni (Olympique Marseille), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Valentin Castellanos (Lazio).

Diego Rossi’s two second-half goals launched the reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew over defending champion Inter Miami 3-2 to reach the Leagues Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday. The Uruguayan forward lifted the host Crew level in the 69th minute and netted the decider in the 80th to dethrone Miami, this season’s overall MLS season leader. Miami star Lionel Messi did not play, as he was still sidelined with a right ankle injury suffered a month ago in Argentina’s Copa America final win over Colombia.

With the victory, the Crew will play host to a Saturday quarter-final against New York City, who won 2-1 over Tigres.

Paraguayan midfielder Matias Rojas gave Inter Miami a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute and compatriot Diego Gomez doubled the margin with a goal in the 62nd before US striker Christian Ramirez answered for the Crew in the 67th, setting the stage for Rossi’s winning brace.

The tournament features MLS and Liga MX Mexican sides, with Messi leading Miami to last year’s inaugural crown shortly after arriving in Florida.

New York City rallied to reach the last eight.

Argentine midfielder Guido Pizarro, the Tigres captain, opened the scoring with a header in the 18th minute but New York City netted the equalizer in the 20th through another Argentine midfielder, Maxi Moralez.

Uruguayan Santiago Rodriguez scored the final goal in the 65th minute from the left side on a left-footed shot inside the far post to give NYCFC the victory.

In Cincinnati, Tai Baribo’s two goals lifted the Philadelphia Union to a 4-2 triumph over the hosts.

Philadelphia grabbed a 2-0 lead on goals by Danish forward Mikael Uhre in the 51st minute and Israeli striker Baribo in the 61st.

Czech midfielder Pavel Bucha answered for Cincinnati in the 66th minute and US defender DeAndre Yedlin netted an equalizer for the hosts in the 80th minute.

The Union responded on goals by Baribo in the 82nd and US substitute Quinn Sullivan in the 84th.

Mazatlan advances

Next up for Philadelphia will be a home quarter-final on Saturday against Mazatlan, which defeated Cruz Azul on penalties after playing to a 2-2 draw in Washington.

Mazatlan grabbed a 2-0 half-time lead on goals by Bryan Colula in the 40th minute and Panamanian midfielder Edgar Barcenas in the first minute of stoppage time.

Cruz Azul fell to 10 men in the fourth minute of the second half when Argentine defender Gonzalo Piovi was shown a red card.

Cruz Azul, however, was far from done as Uriel Antuna scored in the 84th minute and Colombia defender Willer Ditta added an equalizer in the opening seconds of stoppage time.

In penalties, Antuna, Ditta and Giorgos Giakoumakis failed to convert and Mazatlan won 3-1 to advance.

In later quarter-finals on Tuesday, Toluca was at Colorado with the winner set to face Mexican champions Club America or St. Louis in the quarter-finals.

San Jose was also at Los Angeles FC with the winner set to visit Seattle on Saturday.

All-time French goals leader Olivier Giroud is available for LAFC for the first time since the 37-year-old striker’s move from AC Milan in May.

File image of Kylian Mbappe.© Reuters

Argentina captain Lionel Messi© AFP

With Lionel Messi sustaining an ankle injury in the second half, Argentina successfully defended the Copa America title after Lautaro Martinez fired the ball into the back of the net in extra time. The goal earned Argentina a 1-0 win over Colombia who came close to scoring a goal themselves. However, it was Messi’s me who emerged triumphant completing a rare triple of Copa America – FIFA World Cup – Copa America in international football. Messi, who was in tears after sustaining an ankle injury, underwent a big change in emotions as La Albiceleste lifted the title. 

Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium saw Messi in tears after he was substituted in the second half. But Martinez ensured that the Argentinian magician ended with his second Copa America title in the twilight phase of his career. Soon, Messi’s tears of pain and suffering turned into joy.

Leo Messi the moment Argentina won!

What it means pic.twitter.com/dZmIBcYVik

— Sara (@SaraFCBi) July 15, 2024

pic.twitter.com/mMcKp6316M

— Messi World (@M10GOAT) July 15, 2024

With a 1-0 win, Argentina ended Los Cafeteros’s 28-match unbeaten streak.

The game kicked off with Argentina trying to penetrate Colombia’s box by bombarding crosses, but it was effectively dealt away.

Colombia retaliated, with winger Luis Diaz making a darting run into Argentina’s box and striking a low-driven shot, which was easily saved by Martinez.

A minute later, Colombia once again came close, with James Rodriguez weaving his magic to find Cordoba in the box. The striker pulled off an acrobatic effort which struck the outside of the post and went out of play.

The game started to open up, with Argentina and Colombia launching one attack after another in their attempts to break the stalemate.

In the 33rd minute, Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma almost caught off-guard by taking a shot from an ambitious distance. He got the desired connection, forcing Martinez to pull off a save from his fingertips.

Argentina had a moment of scare after Lionel Messi sustained a heavy knock following a challenge from Arias. However, the Argentinian maestro got up without any assistance, but there was a slight limp as he resumed the game.

Despite Colombia enjoying better chances, the Argentinian defensive wall held intact, resulting in a goalless first half.

Argentina came back to life early in the second half, with Alexis Mac Allister taking the ball inside the box. He couldn’t find an opening to test Camilo Vargas. The delay allowed Rios to clear the ball away.

Argentina steadily grew into the game after Angel Di Maria went for the far corner and forced Vargas to pull off a save.

In the 64th minute, Messi was brought down once again, which seemingly aggravated the injury he sustained in the first half. The emotion got the better of him as he left the pitch in tears. Nico Gonzalez came in as a substitute for the Argentinian maestro.

Argentina thought they went ahead after Gonzalez found the back of the net with a sliding finish. But the joy of the fans and players was short-lived, with the assistant referee raising the flag for off-side.

In the final minutes, Argentina almost took the title home, with Di Maria finding Gonzalez with the ball. The winger headed the ball towards Alvarez, and with Vargas committed, Alvarez only had to send the ball into the open net. However, he failed to arrive in time, and the chance went away.

The first 90 minutes ended goalless, forcing the game into extra time. A couple of changes on the attacking front saw the arrival of Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso. The game looked bound for penalties, but Martinez changed the course of the game.

Lo Celso flicked the ball to pave the way for Martinez in the open space inside the box. The Inter Milan striker found the far corner to seal a 1-0 win for Argentina.

Colombia made a late call for a penalty after a player went down in the box. With Colombian players adamant, the referee asked VAR to take a look at the decision. The penalty call was denied, bringing the game to its conclusion.

With ANI Inputs

Argentina lifted their third major trophy in the span of as many years, beating Colombia in Sunday’s Copa America final in Miami. Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the match in the 112th minute to win a record 16th Copa America for Argentina. There were tears before the celebrations though with Argentina captain Lionel Messi going off injured in the 66th minute. The final was also an emotional farewell for veteran winger Angel di Maria, who had earlier announced that he would retire from international duty after the tournament in the United States.

As Argentina were about to receive the trophy, Messi made a heartwarming gesture towards Di Maria and experienced defender Nicolas Otamendi.

Messi, who started his career during the same time as Di Maria and Otamendi, asked the duo to join him before he was about to lift the trophy.

pic.twitter.com/8kthMmKdXx

— M10G (@World10G) July 15, 2024

A game of few chances, which had been marred by security and crowd issues, forcing a 82-minute delay, was decided by a quality finish from substitute Martinez — who finished the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.

For Colombia, whose only title came in the 2001 Copa America and who were unbeaten in 28 games, it was a disappointing night when little seemed to work for Nestor Lorenzo’s team.

There was chaos around entry to the stadium for fans, with organisers blaming supporters for trying to enter without tickets while fans blamed the lack of an efficient entry system to the venue.

The scenes were alarming with some fans needing medical attention for heat exhaustion but after the decision to suddenly throw open the gates, with no checks on those entering, the situation was largely resolved and the game went ahead.

Di Maria, who had left the field for the last time in an Argentina shirt to huge applause, said the team’s ‘Triple Crown’ achievement needed to be appreciated.

“It seems easy but it is very difficult. I know this because I experienced the other side for 10, 11 years as well. It’s not easy to get to the finals and win them,” he said.

(With AFP Inputs)

India captain Rohit Sharma had recreated Argentine football star Lionel Messi‘s iconic slow-walk celebration after the final of the T20 World Cup last year. In 2022, Messi had done the same after Argentina defeated France in the FIFA World Cup final in Qatar. The slow-walk gesture gained popularity once again last month when Rohit celebrated in a similar fashion at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. India spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who is an ardent fan of Messi, later revealed that it was him who actually recommended Rohit to recreate the celebration.

However, Messi has done it again, this time after Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in the final of the Copa America on Monday.

But this time, Messi had Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi for company, with the Argentina captain asking the duo to lift the trophy with him.

Messi lifts up the trophy once again !!! pic.twitter.com/76unxFQ0TD

— Messi Media (@LeoMessiMedia) July 15, 2024

Meanwhile, Argentina have successfully defended their Copa America trophy with a 1-0 win over Colombia in the finals of the tournament at the Hard Rock Stadium to win the coveted title for record-breaking 16th time and its fourth in a row.

In a game where Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi injured his ankle and had to be subbed off in the second half of the game, La Albiceleste dug deep and held off their feisty opponents until extra-time where Golden Boot winner Lautaro Martinez scored his fifth and most important goal of the season to hand his side the victory.

This was Argentina’s third Major tournament trophy in a row (2021 Copa America, 2022 FIFA World Cup) making them the first South American side to achieve this feat.

This was a special win for Argentina as one of its most loyal servants Angel Di Maria has now officially retired from international football and was ecstatic to be bowing out in such a manner.

“It was written, it was this way. I dreamed it, I dreamed that I retired like this,” he said. “I have so many beautiful feelings. I am eternally grateful to this generation that made me achieve what I sought so much,” said an emotional Di Maria in the post-game conference.

Lionel Messi took yet another step towards greatness as it was his 45th team accolade making him the most decorated player in football.

The World Champions were dominant throughout the tournament as they topped Group A before moving on to defeat Ecuador in the quarter-finals, Canada in the semi-finals and a Colombian side which were on a 28-game unbeaten streak heading into the finals.

(With IANS Inputs)

Over the past two decades the football world had gotten used to an FC Barcelona forward tormenting the defenders, scoring outrageous goals, possessing exceptional playmaking skills, and lighting up the right wing. Three years after Lionel Messi’s exit from Barca, the Catalonian club may have done the impossible, and found a perfect replacement for the Argentine legend. Lamine Yamal, the youngster whose attacking prowess seems second to none, has successfully established himself as one of the most dangerous attackers in football with his performance at the Euro 2024 tournament where he became the youngest player to ever play in a major tournament final overtaking none other than Pele.

Born and raised in Catalonia, Lamine was co-parented by his father Mounir Nasraoui, and mother Sheila Abana. The couple had gotten divorced when Yamal was just three years old. Lamine arrived at FC Barcelona at the age of seven from his local club CF La Torreta. At La Masia, he raced through the age categories quicker than any other player of his age showing the potential that he holds.

A recent photo went viral of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi posing for a photo with Lamine Yamal, who at the time was just eight months old further strengthening the belief in fans all over the world that the two players are in some way connected.

Lamine’s family had won a raffle in the town of Mataró, Catalonia. The raffle was sponsored by Diario Sport and UNICEF and offered winners the chance to have pictures taken with Barcelona players.

Lamine’s rapid rise to prominence began when he started training with Barca’s first team at just 15 years old, at the request of coach Xavi Hernandez. He made his debut for the first team in April 2023, becoming the youngest player ever to represent the club.

After an impressive 2022/23 campaign, Lamine continued with the first team for preseason in 2023/24 and became a regular presence in the squad. He set multiple records for the club, including being the youngest player to reach 50 appearances and impressive goal-scoring and assisting tallies in various competitions.

Despite his young age, Lamine has already shown immense promise and is expected to be a key player for FC Barcelona in the years to come.

In just a matter of one single season, Lamal has grown accustomed to having his name in the record books. The 17-year-old is the youngest player to represent FC Barcelona at 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days and scored seven goals in 50 appearances in the 2023/24 season.

He then went on to make his mark outside of La Liga at the 2024 European Championship where he ended the campaign as the Young Player of the Tournament having one goal and four assists to his name.

The whole world now knows the name of Lamine Yamal and will tune into Barcelona games to watch the young phenom play from the 2024/25 season.